Update on student self-assessment of core competencies

The BCTF's latest Education Change Bulletin is all about student self-assessment and the core competencies. The Ministry of Education's Interim Reporting Order sets out the expectation that a student self-assessment on core competencies will be included on the final report of the year for Grades K-9. Go through the bulletin to learn more, read some useful analysis and get some important advice.

Special election issue of Teacher magazine now online

Teacher magazine is now online. The issue contains a strong call to action from BCTF President Glen Hansman, infographics on the impact of 15 years of cuts, and suggested questions you can ask at an all-candidates meeting in the lead up to the May 9 vote. The issue is part of the Federation's efforts to get teachers engaged in the election and to vote for a government that we can all trust with our kids' education. As Glen Hansman writes, “our professional lives are intertwined with the politics of governing. We can't sit this election out or be silent.”

Election campaign stirs up debates and no-shows on education

With week one of the provincial campaign period complete, it's clear that education is already front and centre as a key issue. Some parties are running from their record and others are learning the hard way that you can't say one thing in private and then another publicly.

In Nanaimo, all three BC Liberal candidates chose to skip an all-candidates forum on education instead of face questions on underfunding and Christy Clark's unconstitutional legislation. Over the Easter weekend, social media lit up after two Victoria teachers shared a story on Facebook about a meeting they had with Green Party Leader, Andrew Weaver. The Green Party leader and his staff then lashed out the two teachers online. Mr. Weaver himself also bizarrely claimed that NDP MLAs did not support teachers during our 2014 strike, a claim the Vancouver Sun called “unfounded” in a subsequent factcheck. The whole story has now been covered by The Vancouver Observer's Patti Bacchus, who writes, “Whether B.C. needs another party leader who chooses private school for their own and seems to have an axe to grind with the BCTF is a question voters will be contemplating over the next few weeks.”

New report highlights problems with disability assistance in British Columbia